LUDHIANA: Wherever the death or disappearance of, ‘any person Occurs during his detention or imprisonment an enquiry into the cause of death or disappearance shall be held by a judicial or other authority, either suo motto or otherwise at the instance of any person who has the knowledge of the case,

This was quoted as the UN General Assembly Resolution No. 43/173 of December 9, 1988 by Punjab Human Rights Organisation Chairman, Harinder Singh Khalsa while releasing a report on disappearance entitled ‘India’s Secret Black Holes’ to the press and added that the findings of such enquiry or a report “shall be made available to the public.”

“India unfortunately is among a few countries which flout this UN principle, while most of the civilised and really democratic countries regard it as an important international obligation and follow it vehemently,” said Mr, KhaIsa.

According to the 12 page report even the Indian law enforcing agencies show utter disregard and indifference to the superior judiciary. The report is mainly based on a writ petition filed by PHRO Vice President Mohinder Singh Lawanda seeking the release of three Sikh youths; Devinder Singh Punjabi, Rajinder Singh Papu and Baj Singh Jago; illegally detained in the dark cells (scooter sheds) of the 85 Battalion of the CRPF Campa Amritsar.

The CRPF Commandants, P. Damodaran and Varinder Singh not only disallowed the Warrant Officer to search the premises, but forcibly removed the detneus from there, right in front of the Warrant Officer, the petitioner and the PHRO advocates Mohinder Singh Grewal and Bhupinder Singh Somal.

Despite the specific orders by the High Court Judge, Mr. JS. Sekhon, for the production of the detenus in the court, the Sikh youths were smuggled out by the CRPF Officers for which the Contempt Proceedings have been initiated by the High Court.

Similarly both the Union of India and Punjab state, said the former senior Indian diplomat, have failed to produce Darshan Singh Dalla despite the specific directions of the Judge for his production in the high court on or before 7th of November 1989. Dalla was arrested from Ropar Bus Stand on March 26, 1988, by the Ropar Police.

According to the PHRO Information there are dozens of illegally detained Sikhs in numerous camps of the security forces in Punjab, who have been rotting there for months and years together. The UK Branch of PHRO will take this matter to the UN office in Geneva which mainly deals with enforced or involuntary disappearances and torture, added the chairman.

The PHRO has called upon the democratic public opinion in India and abroad to raise their voice against the illegal detentions to seek release or production of the three youths as per the court directions and generally to ensure that the alleged offenders are treated in accordance with Law.

Harinder Singh Khalsa Chairman

Article extracted from this publication >> June 1, 1990